The foul stench of penguin poop sets Antarctic krill on edge.
In lab experiments, the mere scent of penguin droppings — or guano — sent krill scrambling for escape, researchers report March 20 in Frontiers in Marine Science. The stink also seemed to suppress krill’s appetites.
Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) form a cornerstone of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. “They’re the main food source for all of the big, charismatic fauna,” says Nicole Hellessey, an Antarctic marine scientist at the University of Tasmania in Hobart. Whales, penguins and seals all eat — or eat things that eat — krill. Understanding the critters’ movements could help identify key areas for marine